Gorge Victim is William Sinclair '12

Email from Skorton. Note the acknowledgment of the number of student deaths this year. It is interesting that Sinclair's body was found in nearly the same spot as Brad Ginsburg's '13 a couple of weeks ago. The University response was different this time, with an email sent out to the Cornell community within a couple hours of discovering the body, followed by another one later in the day with the name of the victim. This is a much shorter timeline than last time, which may indicate a change in University policy over the last couple of weeks.

Dear fellow Cornellians,

This morning we learned with deep sadness that we have lost a member of our community whose body was found in the Fall Creek gorge. I am saddened, as I know you are, that another life with unfulfilled promise has been lost.

On behalf of the entire Cornell community, I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the family of our student, William Sinclair, a sophomore in the College of Engineering, and to his many friends who will always carry the memory of happier times in their hearts. Please join me in keeping them foremost in your thoughts in the days ahead as we mourn this tragic loss of life. For understandable reasons, and out of deference to the family, you will understand that we will not be able to comment on the circumstances of this tragedy until the investigation has been completed by the Ithaca Police Department.

I do want to acknowledge the toll we all may be experiencing from repeated losses already this year. I sincerely hope that you will join me in reaching out to your classmates, roommates, colleagues and friends to cherish the memories you have of those who have departed us, and to renew your commitment to each other. It is important to take the time, regularly, to reflect on the many things for which we should be grateful and on how best to overcome, together, the daily challenges we must face.

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Sincerely,

David Skorton

President